Breaking: Jim Harbaugh alters game-day wardrobe

Jim Harbaugh had trouble getting traction against the Titans in October. (AP)

Of the NFL’s 32 head coaches, Jim Harbaugh’s wardrobe is the most consistent: 49ers baseball cap, black fleece sweatshirt, khakis and sneakers.

So this qualifies as news: Harbaugh has been wearing black cleats on game days.

Harbaugh was moved to make the change after he threw himself into the middle of a sideline tussle in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ 31-17 win at Tennessee on Oct. 20. Despite his eagerness to intercede, Harbaugh was quickly pushed out of the pile.

The reason? Well, it could be because he’ll turn 50 this month and, after 15 years in the NFL, moves like a man in need of hip replacement surgery. But Harbaugh cited an additional reason today: improper footwear.

“The first thing that prompted (the cleats) was the scuffle I was trying to break up in Tennessee,” Harbaugh said, smiling. “No traction. I didn’t want to be in that situation again.”

Harbaugh’s unveiled his black cleats the following week in a win against the Jaguars in London. After the bye, however, he switched back to sneakers for a home game against Carolina (loss) and a road date at New Orleans (loss).

It had to be the shoes, right? Maybe. Harbaugh has since worn cleats during a three-game winning streak, meaning the 49ers are 4-0 when he sports his spikes this season.

“Now I’m wearing the cleats because we’ve won every time I’ve worn the cleats,” Harbaugh said. “There was a time I was superstitious about not being superstitious. And I’m suddenly superstitious a little bit.”